WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State men's basketball survived a strong second-half push from the Bulldogs to knock off Southwestern Oklahoma State in the first of two matchups this season. Brandon Green made three big free throws down the stretch and solidified the win with a last second steal, wrapping up the Ranger's tough stretch of three games in five days.

No stranger to the drama that the rivalry series has produced, the 6-foot-2 senior chipped in with 19 points and eight assists, including a 9-of-10 evening from the charity stripe.

Despite leading by as many as 21 in the first half, Northwestern found themselves in a cold stretch that allowed the Bulldogs to claw their way back into the game.

The raucous Pioneer Cellular Event Center crowd was silenced early as the Rangers built a 17-point advantage just eight minutes into the contest. Sophomore A.J. Jones managed the Ranger offense well in the first half, picking up seven assists. Northwestern would go up by as many as 21 before a 14-4 run by the Bulldogs cut the Rangers lead to just 11 at the break.

Southwestern has had a rough start to the season, starting out 3-12 (1-8 GAC) and losing long-time head coach Bob Batisti along the way. But as with any heated rivalry, the Rangers knew they'd have their hands full in hostile territory.

Cody Halvorson's quick release provided the Rangers with 17 points, as the shooter connected on four three-pointers. A'keem Oglesby added four of his own in a 16-point effort on a night that Northwestern would shoot 45.3 percent from the field.

The Rangers appeared to come out flat in the second half, allowing the Bulldogs to go on a 22-4 run to cut the Ranger lead to just three. Northwestern shot just 1-for-9 over that stretch before head coach Shawn Dirden was forced to call a timeout to rally his team.

Northwestern seemed to find their stride once again midway through the second half when they hit 5-of-7 shots to go on a 16-8 run restoring a 12-point lead. But once again, the Bulldogs charged back on the heels of Charles Beauregard Jr., tying the game up at 66-66 with seven minutes to play.

A loose ball foul called on Cedric Collinge sent Daniel Eibel to the line, giving SWOSU their first lead of the contest. Halvorson stole the lead right back with an improbable four-point play after a hard foul beyond-the-arc.

The tandem of Green and Collinge displayed a veteran presence down the stretch, making play after play for the Rangers in the closing minutes.

After a broken play and with a dwindling shot clock, Oglesby knocked down a big three-pointer with just over a minute to play, giving Northwestern a four-point lead. With just 40 seconds remaining, Dirden looked to his seniors for a defensive stand.

But in true Northwestern-Southwestern fashion, this one would not be without theatrics. With just 22 seconds left, Devin Pugh hit a heavily contested three to tie the game up at 82-82. After a foul on Green, the Rangers found themselves up by two with just four seconds left. After the Bulldogs connected on a deep inbound pass, Green pick-pocketed Eibel before the SWOSU guard could get a shot off, sealing the two-point victory for Northwestern.

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Eric Scott

Northwestern big man Treyvon Andres (33) attempts a low-post contested jumper in the third quarter between NWOSU and Southwestern Oklahoma State on the road Monday night. Andres and the Rangers held onto a comeback bid by the Dawgs, 84-82.

The Rangers will return to Percefull Fieldhouse for a two-game home stand as they host Southeastern Oklahoma State University Jan. 18 before taking on East Central University on Saturday, Jan. 20.